Green where possible... Doane Stuart School's new campus

RENSSELAER -- The building at 199 Washington Ave. in Rensselaer won't be sitting vacant anymore, which would most likely have been its fate, had Doane Stuart School not declared it its new home.

The Topping Off Ceremony and news conference Sept. 16 was held just outside the main entrance to the school on a glorious morning, giving Headmaster Richard D. Enemark even more reason to smile as he welcomed his guest speakers, which included state Assembly Majority Leader and 106th District representative, Dan Dwyer, mayor of the city of Rensselaer and Rensselaer County Kathy Jimino.

Students and staff gathered around a fountain of a little boy and girl feeding birds, a gift to the school. "Welcome to the City of Rensselaer," welcomed Mayor Dwyer, who commented on the "absolutely magnificent job" that had been done in refurbishing the building, and added, "My phone is always open...should you need something."

Addressing the students, Canestrari said, "This is a testament to a vision...it's about you and educational resources, learn to grow in your (new) environment."

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One of the capital region's oldest college preparatory and interfaith schools, Doane Stuart School decided to make the move to Rensselaer from its campus in Albany after a deal could not be reached between Doane Stuart and the Society of the Sacred Heart, who rented to Doane Stuart. The school educates students in preschool through 12th grade. "Average class size is 14 students, some grades like the eighth grade are split into two sections," said Dr. Enemark.

In order to raise the money needed to buy the Rensselaer building, Dr. Enemark reports that, "We raised $4 million in 30 days." Indeed, this is proof of the dedicated DSS community pulling together and a real affirmation to the quality of education given at DSS and the spirit that surrounds that education.

About a year ago, Doane Stuart began preparing its new digs by refurbishing and updating the building which was previously the Rensselaer Elementary School. "One of the 'greenest' things we did was to move into the building...rather than build new," says Dr. Enemark, who along with other school staff, met once a week with their architect Larry Wilson of Mesick, Cohen, Wilson and Baker Architects of Albany as plans were being made for their new home which gives DSS one-hundred and seventeen thousand square feet of space, much more than their Albany campus.

"We went green as much as we could. We recycled blackboards, used cork walls and will be getting palm trees installed in the commons (cafeteria)," continued Enemark at an interview two days before the press conference.

Hallways that once had a 'square' feel to them have been opened by removing drop ceilings that now bring the space back to its original height and allow for more light in the long hallways. Acoustical tiles were used in some hallways where necessary for practical reasons to route new amenities such as computer wiring.

Some DSS classrooms are set up for seminar type teaching, with one large table in the middle of the room, surrounded by chairs. One of the rooms where Dr. Enemark teaches students in the upper grades, Green says, "Dr. Enemark and the students will sit around the table, he'll sit somewhere in the middle, not at the head of the table." Presenting education in this manner helps to foster the kind of environment that students will encounter in college.

Much of the furniture in the school looks as if it has been there since the 1930s. DSS staff and the architectural team selected pieces from the Albany campus that would fit with the feel of the new campus. The pieces also give familiarity to students, pieces that they remember. Very little furniture was purchased for the building, another way that DSS went 'green'. They were also able to bring their 150-year-old school bell, which is rung at the beginning of each day.

Three grand pianos are placed throughout the school, and Michael Green, the school's Director of Admissions, points out that, "Often times you'll walk by and hear students playing the piano, it's great...one minute they're playing classical and the next it's Cold Play." So when do DSS students have time to play music? Green says, "There are free periods for the students in the upper grades...they can play the pianos, sometimes they'll have class meetings...they're given the freedom to do the right thing." This type of philosophy helps to encourage learning and time management. These aspects, along with the fact that there are no bells between classes and no loud speaker system, further emphasizes that DSS is a college preparatory school.

One of the best views in the school is from the library. There, you can see the Hudson River, parts of the highway system and changing colors of the seasons. Before DSS moved in, this great vista was a hidden one. "On the carpets you can still see where the rows and rows of shelves were," says Green, pointing out that the view was blocked. "We like the students to be able to have that, we didn't want to hide the view," explains Green.

DSS has students from every socio-economic background and numerous faiths. "We offer financial aid, and we have students that are not from just wealth and privilege...Although we do have a strong Christian tradition here, we embrace every faith," explains Dr. Enemark.

The strong interfaith aspect of DSS is very evident in the school's chapel, which was once a gym/auditorium. The wood floors in the chapel had huge bumps on them and had to be sanded down and refurbished, according to Green. The chapel has two-story windows, which were previously barred and now illuminate the school's religious center. A cross is on the center of the back wall and will be joined by a sculpture of a seven light candelabra done by designer David Klass.

Green explained that the presence of icons from other faiths it a healthy way to have students realize that there are many religions and know that there is something bigger than us out there.

On closing the press conference, Dr. Enemark said, "Whether you're a senior and in the first graduating class, or you have fourteen years ahead of you, this is a new history we're making...we invited our own family and students for this morning...this is your dedication, it was built for you, have a great day."